Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY380662 Inspection date 11/10/2011 Inspector Susan Ennis

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and three children aged two, seven and eight years in Luton, Bedfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house, apart from the main bedroom is used for childminding and there is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has one pet gerbil.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of two children in the early years age range and is currently minding three children in this age group on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, mostly safe environment for all children and ensures that all are included and supported. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development because the childminder's flexible approach to planning generally meets their individual needs. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice. Consequently, she is able to make changes to improve the daily care and experiences she offers the children, parents and carers. She demonstrates a growing awareness of the practice required to promote the outcomes for children and has the capacity to improve further.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop further the use of initial starting points, observations and planning to identify children's next steps in development and their progress towards the early learning goals  update the record of risk assessment to include an assessment of risk for each specific outing and trip  ensure that hazards to the children are made safe or inaccessible. This refers to the bathroom lock  develop children's understanding of the wider world by increasing the range of activities and resources that reflect the diverse society in which we live  develop further the use of reflective practise to highlight your strengths and areas for improvement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has appropriate policies and procedures in place to ensure that all children are protected. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has the contact numbers for reporting concerns should they arise. She further protects the children as she ensures that anyone coming into contact with them is suitable to do so. Children move freely around the premises because the childminder takes reasonable steps to minimise most of the hazards. However, as the bathroom lock is accessible to children they could accidentally lock themselves in. The childminder uses practical procedures to protect the children when on outings. She carries first aid equipment in her bag and the children wear wrist straps containing her contact details. However, as risk assessments are not completed for each specific outing or trip children's safety is potentially affected.

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the early years provision

Children's individual development is soundly promoted because the childminder has satisfactory procedures together with an effective range of resources to support, monitor and evaluate their progress. The available resources are actively used and the inclusive, child-friendly environment is mostly conducive to children's learning and play. The childminder also makes positive use of the local amenities taking the children to a variety of activity and toddler groups.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, enabling her to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and families. She works with the parents to ensure that she recognises each child's background, needs and beliefs, for example, learning basic words in children's home language to help them feel secure. Children are gently encouraged to recognise differences and respect diversity through resources including play figures and books. However, the range of activities reflecting the diverse world in which we live is currently basic, limiting children's understanding.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds trusting relationships with parents. She regularly updates them about their children's welfare and development through use of verbal communication, daily diaries and the sharing of the children's development books. They are encouraged to share any concerns they may have and are made aware of the childminder's policies and procedures. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of liaising with other agencies and plans to develop this area of her work once the children start attending other settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to sustainability as she plans to attend several training courses in the near future to improve her knowledge and the outcomes for the children. She has begun to evaluate her practice as she, for example, regularly asks parents for their views about her setting. However, as limited self-evaluation is currently taking place, strengths and areas for improvement are not being highlighted, limiting further progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers an appropriate range of opportunities to support the children to make satisfactory progress in the areas of learning and development. Her flexible approach to planning ensures that children's choices, likes and dislikes are taken into account. For example, when children show an interest in playing with a xylophone, the childminder provides a box of other musical instruments for them to experience. The children smile as they listen to the sound made by the home-made shakers and enjoy banging on the drum developing their creative skills as they do so. They also develop their language skills as they use the microphone to make sounds and noises. The childminder is generally aware of where the children are in their development and uses observations, photographs and assessments to record their achievements. However, there is limited information regarding children's starting points and current systems do not identify children's

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and outcomes for children

next steps in progress, how these are incorporated into planning or the children's overall development towards the early learning goals. Therefore, children's individual needs are not always effectively met.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder suitably ensures that there is an appropriate range of activities to stimulate children's interests. For example, they develop their problem solving skills as they make patterns on pegs boards and work out where to next place the thread when using sewing cards. They use their listening skills to match animal sounds to pictures and their imagination skills as they pretend to feed the dolls and talk to their parent on the toy phone. Children are clearly settled with the childminder and forge positive friendships with her and their friends. They are encouraged to use appropriate behaviour and the childminder, acting as a positive role model, helps them make the right choices. For example, when they become slightly possessive over one of the toys, they are reminded that it is not nice to snatch and that it is good to share.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare are effectively promoted as the childminder takes purposeful steps to minimise the spread of infection and develop children's understanding of healthy living. For example they know to wash their hands after using the toilet and playing outside. They are becoming aware of healthy eating and where food comes from as they participate in the growing of fruit, such as, strawberries in the childminder's garden and independently access their drinks as they need them. Children are also becoming aware of their own safety as they discuss road safety when out and about and adhere to sensitive reminders from the childminder. For example, they know not to run around in the house in case they slip over and hurt themselves. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure that the safeguarding policy includes the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against yourself or a member of the household (Childcare Register and voluntary Childcare Register) 25/10/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Childcare Register part of the report (Childcare Register and voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 25/10/2011

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